Restroom organizer and sterilizing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a restroom organizer and toothbrush sterilizing apparatus (1) which includes a toothbrush sterilizer (4), a toothpaste dispenser (2) a soap supplier (7a) and a control circuit (11). Various sanitizers (4, 31, 80, 100) are disclosed for disinfecting and deodorizing various articles and of the atmosphere. The invention also discloses various compartments (40, 50, 82, 84) for storing items to be sanitized.

BACKGROUND

Several prior art sterilizers generally consist of an ultraviolet raylight or an infrared ray light sterilization system located at the upperpart of the main block. These devices sterilize the objects through raysof light. Although, this is an effective means of sterilization, thereare shortcomings such as the wasting of electricity by leaving lights onfor long periods of time and the need to replace bulbs when a filamenthas burned out. The ozone sterilizing apparatus is designed to improveupon the shortcomings.

There are two kinds of prior art sterilizers, one for domestic use andanother for professional use.

The prior art domestic sterilizer consists of a sterilizing light and isoperated by a switch when it is needed. The prior art professionalsterilizer is structured and used for a specific purpose. It is limitedto sterilizing only specific items. For instance, a toothbrushsterilizer cannot be used for any other item except for a toothbrush,and the sterilizing light bulb which is the essential component stays onfor an unnecessary length of time. Therefore, it wastes more electricityand shortens the light bulbs life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a restroom organizer which combines toiletries,various necessities and electric apparatus together to be used in arestroom in a more compact fashion.

There are many items which can be used to clean and make up anindividual's body. These items are frequently spread around therestroom. For example, each individual takes his or her toothbrush fromthe storage case, gets the toothpaste from a separate tube, cleans theirteeth and returns the tube and brush to their storage cases. Or, anindividual may use an electric toothbrush in the restroom and set it onan electric charging apparatus out of the restroom if there is nofacility in the bathroom. When an individual washes their hair they takethe proper amount of shampoo from a bottle by turning the bottleup-side-down and then putting the bottle back in its place. Afterwashing their hair the individual will go to the counter or sink to putlotions and other creams on their body. Thus, the various toiletnecessities are spread about the bathroom and need to be arranged in amore compact mariner. The purpose of this invention is to group thesenecessities into one automated compound or organizer. Another purpose ofthe invention is to build an organizer for electric devices whichincludes an AC-DC converter for an electric toothpaste dispenser, anelectric toothbrush and its associated charging apparatus, a sterilizer,electric razor and its charging apparatus and a toiletry set and soapsupplier. The system also includes an electric circuit for control ofthe organizer.

The sterilizer is designed to improve upon the above shortcomings. Itturns on and off when the door is opened and closed and the sterilizinglight turns on for a preset period of time. For example, the light canbe designed to turn on for two minutes while the sterilization processis carried out with the music or a melody playing during this process.The sterilizer can also be designed to then turn off for example, forthree minutes, and turn on, for example, for two minutes with the musicon, and so on.

Other improvements in this invention over the prior art includes thestorage case which stocks toothbrushes, razors, soaps and othernecessities. The storage case can be rotated forward or backward and isreplaceable with a second storage case designed to contain baby nipplesand a baby bottle for an infant when they require sterilization.

Another improvement of this invention is that the sterilizer can becombined with other apparatuses. In other words, the sterilizer can bebuilt as one compartment in the organizer, next to the toothpastedispenser or it can built inside the toothpaste dispenser for combineduse.

Another embodiment of the sterilizing invention generally comprises animproved toothbrush sterilizing apparatus having an ozone system builtinto a toothbrush storage compartment which sterilizes the toothbrushand gets rid of foul odors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the restroom organizer invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the soap supplier compartment.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of the ultraviolet sterilizercompartment.

FIG. 4 is an electrical circuit diagram for the restroom organizer.

FIG. 5 is a partial section view of a second embodiment of thesterilizer.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the storage case.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the storage case.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a partial section view of the storage case in use.

FIG. 10 is a partial section view of another embodiment of the storagecase.

FIG. 10A is a side view of another storage case embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention combiningthe sterilizer as a built in feature on the front door of a toothpastedispenser.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial section view of another tray mount optionto that shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 a perspective view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is the electrical circuit diagram of the sterilizing light andthe music box of the sterilizer.

FIG. 17 is a side cross sectional of another sterilizer embodiment, theozone sterilizing apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of thetoothbrush ozone sterilizing apparatus.

FIG. 19. is an exploded view of the ozone apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 the automated bathroom organizer or compound 1 isshown. This organizer 1 includes an AC-DC converter 21 (FIG. 4), anelectric toothpaste dispenser 2, an electric toothbrush 3a and itselectric charging apparatus 3b, a toothbrush sterilizer 4, an electricrazor 5a and its electric charging apparatus 5b, a 110V/220V concentre6, a toiletry set and soap supplier compartment 7a through 7n, storeroom 19 and a central electric circuit 11 to control the apparatus. Theorganizer 1 has one or more hanging hooks 8 for hanging a hair dryer orother utensil.

Referring to FIG. 3 one embodiment of the toothbrush sterilizer 4 isshown. The sterilizer 4 includes brush holders 20, and ultravioletsterilizing light 12, a perceive switch 14 which operates thesterilizing light 12 when a hanging toothbrush 22 is perceived to behanging in the sterilizer 4 by a cover 13 which is built under theperceive switch 14 to turn on the sterilizer 4.

A user can pull out the toothbrush 22 which has been sterilized byultraviolet rays and rotate cover 13 upward without touching theperceive switch 14. When the user pushes the cover 13 with thetoothbrush 22 to hang it after use, then the spout 13a of the covertouches the perceive switch 14 to turn the ultraviolet light 12 on for apreset period of time. The light 12 turns off after the preset period oftime has passed at which time the toothbrush 22 will be sterilizedthrough the electric circuit 11.

As shown in FIG. 1 the electric concentre 6 includes a 110V concentre9a-n and a 220V concentre 10a-n for selective use dependent upon theelectric capacity of the item to be plugged in to one of the outlets.

Referring to FIG. 2 one of the toiletry set/soap suppliers of theinvention is shown. The supplier 7a consists of a container holder 17which is fixed by a hinge 18 to the supplier 7a. Container holder 17 canthus be rotated for ease of loading, unloading or filling a container23. A push button or clamp 15 is resiliently fixed by a spring 16 orfixed by a threaded handle, etc. in the upper part of the containerholder 17, and a solenoid valve 24 is located below the container 23 fordispensing a preset and desired amount of soap or toiletry containedwithin the container 23.

The central electric control circuit 11 of the automated organizer i isstructured as follows referring to FIG. 4: a main switch MSW whichcontrols the electricity of the organizer 1; a lamp PL displays whetherthe circuit 11 is on or off; an AC-DC converter 21 is built into thecontrol circuit 11; an electric toothpaste dispenser 2 which dispenses adesired amount of toothpaste automatically by inserting the toothbrushinto the dispenser (as explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,773 and U.S.Pat. No. 5,215,218 incorporated herein by reference). The toothbrushsterilizer 4 turns off automatically after the sterilizing light 12 hasbeen turned on for a prefixed period of time to sterilize the toothbrush22 after the toothbrush 22 has been inserted as explained above;electric charging apparatus 3b and 5b for the electric toothbrush andelectric razor can also be used as known to one of ordinary skill in theart; 7a is an example of a toiletry set or soap supplier and 7nexpresses that multiple sets of the same structure may be added on tothe organizer 1.

The solenoid valve circuit SD-SDn of the toilet set and soap supplier7a-7n is a kind of timer circuit to set up the period of opening andclosing time of the solenoid valve S-Sn, and consists of a transistorTr1, time pulse circuit Q1 switch SW1 and expressing Lamp L1.

When the user turns on one of the switches SW1-SWn of the circuit 11 theselected transistor of TR1-TRn turns on for the pulse period of theselected time pulse circuit of Q1-Qn. Then the selected solenoid valveof S1-Sn operates for that period to dispense the desired amount oftoiletry or soap.

In this invention the dispensing of the toiletry and/or soap arecontrolled by the electrical circuit 11, but the dispensing could alsobe controlled by a mechanical means (push/pull, etc).

The automated organizer 1 described above does not need an electricalcontrol system for each apparatus and some of the items such as theelectric razor 5a will have their own control system.

A user can shave with the electric razor 5a, take the sterilizedtoothbrush 22 out from the toothbrush sterilizer 4 to obtain a desiredamount of toothpaste from the automatic toothpaste dispenser 2 to cleanhis or her teeth, bathe themselves with soap from the soap supplier 7aby pushing handle 15, then put on lotion or cream from the toiletrysupplier 7a-7n and then make up their hair with the hair dryer hangingon hanger hook 8. Therefore, one can make up their body moreconveniently and simply while the bathroom space is utilized moreeffectively.

Another embodiment of the sterilizer compartment is shown in FIG. 5. Thesterilizer 31 is used to sterilize necessities requiring dailysanitation (i.e. toothbrushes, shaving razors, tartar cleaners, earswabs, baby bottles and nipples for infants).

FIG. 5 shows one example of the sterilizer invention in operation whichcan be bought as a separate component, together with the toothpastedispenser 32 or together with the organizer. The sterilizer 31 shown isbuilt as a compartment next to the toothpaste dispenser 32 on the stand33. The sterilizer 31 is electrically connected to the toothpastedispenser 32 by the electric wire 34 on the stand 33 so thatsterilization of the toothbrush and dispensing of toothpaste can both becarried out conveniently. The stand 33 is optional since the sterilizer31 and/or the toothbrush dispenser 32 can be wall mounted as well. Thesterilizer 31 includes a sterilizing light 36, a reflection mirror 37and an upper main block 35, a switch 38 mounted on switch mounting block45 located on the main block 35 and the door 39 which regulates thesterilization light 36 and the music circuit 41. A storage case 40 isplaced below the sterilization light 36 in the main block 35 and can berotated forward and backward. An electric circuit shown in FIG. 16 turnsthe sterilization light 36 and the music system 41 on and offperiodically. The reflection mirror 37 extends or connects to anultraviolet ray blocking plate 43. Ventilation holes 42 are located inthe main block 35 behind the ultraviolet ray blocking plate 43 toprevent the ultraviolet rays of light from reflecting out of the mainblock 35 while moisture contained within the main block can vent throughthe ventilation holes 42.

A small switch 38 such as a micro switch is equipped in the main block35 and can be tripped by a prong 44 located on the door 39. The electriccircuit will be off when the door 39 is open as shown in FIG. 5. Theswitch system also acts as a safety feature to prevent the user frombeing exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays which would occur if thesterilization light 36 remained on while the door 39 is open.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8 the storage case 40 consists of a main body 51and a housing 52 which can be fixed to snap to the lower part of themain body 51. The housing 52 is designed to hold water dripping fromstorage compartments 53. Housing or water tray 52 can be easily removedfrom main body 51 and both parts may be rinsed or cleaned.

Storage compartments 53a and 53b are designed to store toothbrushes,razors, tooth tarter cleaners, ear swabs, etc., in the main body 51.

With the housing 52 snapped to the main body 51 with a holding plate 55and a first retainer 54 formed at both sides of the main body 51, thestorage case 40 can be set up in the main block 35 on the hinge axles46a, 47a (FIG. 5). The notch 57 of the second retainer 56 on both sidesof the housing 52 fits over the hinge axles 46b, 47b of the main block35.

The storage case 40 can be set off from the vertical in the main block35 since the pair of hinge axles 46a and b, 47a and b and the main block35 allows the storage case 40 to rotate forward and backward as shown inFIG. 9.

The first retainers 54 on both sides of the storage case 40 prevent thestorage case 40 from overturning along the axis of the hinge axles 46b,47b on the notches 57.

A user should pull the storage case 40 for tilting it around the notches57 fitting hinges 46b, 47b The storage case 40 can also be designed tofall forward automatically if the notches 57 and fitting hinges 46b, 47bare formed in the back part of the case 40.

FIG. 10 shows another storage case 50 embodiment in use. If necessarythe storage case 40 shown in FIGS. 6-9 can be removed from the mainblock 35 and the other storage case 50 for holding a nipple and a milkbottle for an infant can be inserted for sterilization of thesearticles. A holding bar 58 in the middle of the reflection plate 59holds a nipple to be sterilized both on the inside and the outside ofthe nipple and a recessed seat 60 holds a milk bottle at a lower part ofthe case 50.

FIG. 10a shows another embodiment of a storage case 50a which can bemounted on prongs (not shown) within the main block 35. The storage case50a functions as a shelf upon which a bottle or other article can beplaced. A reflection plate 59a can also be placed on the storage case50a. Reflection plate 59a includes holding bars 58a for the mounting ofnipples or other articles. Reflection plates 59 and 59a may be made ofchrome or some other material which promotes the reflection of light forsterilizing on the inside and outside of articles such as nipples.

FIGS. 12-18 show another embodiment of the sterilizer in operation. Thesterilizer 70 is built in combination with the electric toothpastedispenser 60 which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,773 and U.S. Pat.No. 5,215,218, both incorporated herein by reference. This toothpastedispenser 70 includes a motor assembly 71, an elevator assembly 72, aroller assembly 73, which is ascended and descended by the elevatorassembly 72, a tube grasping assembly 74 for holding the nozzle of thetoothpaste tube 75 and a toothpaste dispensing assembly 76 (a moredetailed explanation of the operation of the dispenser and the structureof the dispenser are described in the above listed U.S. Patent andApplication). Cover 77 rotates about hinge 79 to allow access to andreplacement of toothpaste tube 75. Door assembly 81 is hinged to rotateat axle 83 of the toothpaste dispenser 70.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14, the sterilizer 80is built in the door assembly 81a or front portion of the toothpastedispenser 70. An upper storage compartment 82 is attached or clipped tothe backside of the toothpaste replacement door assembly 81a of thetoothpaste dispenser 70 for effective utilization of space such that thedispenser 70 and the sterilizer 80 can be harmonized together. The doorassembly 81a is hinged to rotate on hinge axle 83a of the toothpastedispenser 70. Door assembly 81a includes a ledge 85a which can be usedfor a cup or other article. Upper storage compartment 82 and lowerstorage compartment 84 can be hung on prongs or ledges molded in to thedoor assembly 81a or against the toothpaste dispenser 70. The storagecompartments 82 and 84 can be designed in a variety of fashions. Forinstance storage compartment 82 includes a drip cup 82a which can bedisconnected from the compartment 82 for cleaning.

An ultraviolet light 87 with a reflection mirror 89 and an optionalheating lamp 88 for elevating temperatures or drying are built into theupper portion of the sterilizer 80 as seen in FIG. 12. A lower storagecase 84 and a cup 86 are mounted in the lower portion of the sterilizer80.

The bottom 90 of storage case 84 is formed with a slanted or declinedsurface 90 as shown in FIG. 14 so that one end of the stored item (suchas a toothbrush) will be slanted from the vertical against the wall formaximum exposure of the item to direct ultraviolet rays. The cup 86 canbe snapped into the cup holder prongs 85 as shown in FIG. 11.

The sterilizer 31 or 80 of this embodiment of the invention can bemounted next to the toothpaste dispenser 70 or built in combination withthe dispenser 70.

A user can take out the sanitized and dried objects by opening the door39 or opening the door assembly 81 and can dispense toothpaste from theelectric dispenser 32, 70 automatically and conveniently. Milk bottlesor other miscellaneous items can be sanitized more readily by changingstorage cases.

Referring to FIG. 16 the electric circuit of the sterilization light 36and music system 41 of the sterilizer is shown. PS is a switch at theelectric source; PL is a ! amp showing whether the electric connectionis on or off; T is a transformer converting AC to DC; BD is a bridgediode, 36 is a sterilization light; R is a relay switch 38 which turnsoff when the door 81 is opened and turns on when the door 81 is closed;41 is a music circuit M with a music phone P; Q1 is a pulse counter andpulse circuit counting pulses repeating and creating periodic pulsessuch as the periodic pulse circuit which creates a pulse for two minutesto the sterilizer every 30 minutes; and Q2, Q3 are switching transistorsto convert the relay switch 38 on and off.

The operation of the electric circuit is as follows:

When the sterilizer of this invention is operated, in other words, whenthe door is closed, and the relay circuit is at "On" position and the ACelectric source is at "On" position, the lamp PL showing the electricconnection turns on, then the electricity is supplied through thetransformer T to the sterilizing light 36 and melody circuit 41 to turnon. Meanwhile, DC 12 volt electricity is supplied through the DC 13Vrectifier bridge circuit BD. Electricity is supplied to the pulsecounter, pulse circuit Q and pre-set periodic pulse for example for twominutes, and the transistor Q1, Q2 turns off after they are at "On"position for the two minute period. Also, the relay 38 is turned off andelectricity is disconnected to turn off the light 36 and the melody 41.

The sterilizing light 36 and music 41 turn on again for the pulse period(2 minutes) after counting the preset period (for example 30 minutes),and the above described activity is repeated again.

Meanwhile, when the user opens the door 39 while the sterilization light36 and music 41 are being operated, the relay or switch 38 turns off andthe sterilization light 36 and music 41 turn off. When the door 39 isclosed the sterilization light 36 and the music 41 are operatedperiodically, for example, repeatedly for two minutes every 30 minutes.

Referring to FIG. 17 an example of an ozone device 100 built into thestorage compartment 110 of an electric toothpaste dispenser 120 isshown. Details of the electric toothpaste dispenser are described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,050,773 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,218, both incorporatedherein by reference and details of the storage compartment 110 aredescribed above with the ozone apparatus 100 replacing ultravioletlighting.

Referring to FIG. 19 the ozone apparatus 100 consists of a pair ofcatalyst filters 102, 103, a ceramic electrode 104 placed between thefilters 102, 103 and a fan 105. The ozone atmosphere is created by theelectric discharge between the ceramic electrodes 104. The fan 105 thenpulls the ozone atmosphere through the system to sterilize thetoothbrushes and other articles, including the nozzle of the toothpastetube. The ozone apparatus sucks polluted air in the toothbrush storageroom 110 or in the toothpaste dispenser 120 by the fan 105. Oxidation iscreated by high voltage electric discharge between the ceramicelectrodes 104. The ozone destroys foul odors, germs, etc. Ozone, 0₃, isproduced when an electric spark is passed through air or oxygen. Ozoneis a powerful oxidizing agent which can be used for sterilization todisinfect and deodorize air, water, and surfaces requiring disinfectionand deodorization. During disinfection and deodorization the ozone isconverted to oxygen containing polluted air which circulates back to theozone apparatus 100 for re-oxidation. Therefore, the ozone apparatus 100keeps the entire system clean.

FIG. 18. shows another embodiment of the ozone sterilizing apparatuswith the ozone apparatus 100 built inside the toothbrush storage room112. The toothbrush storage room 112 consists of an outside canister107, a rotatable inner canister 108, and a cover 109. The ozoneapparatus 100 is built and attached inside the inner canister 108. Theinner canister 108 has molded toothbrush storage compartments 113,drainage ducts 114, and end wall 115 with atmosphere return openings 116and an ozone feed tube 117 for circulation within the toothbrush storageroom 112 and the inner canister 108. In this manner the ozone apparatussterilizes harmful microbes on toothbrushes 118 stored in the storageroom 112 while disinfecting and deodorizing the atmosphere inside of thestorage room 112 and inner canister 108. The outside canister 107includes passages 119 so that the molded toothbrush storage compartments113 can drain through ducts 114 and passages 119.

The preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and describedabove. It is to be understood that minor changes in the details,construction and arrangement of the parts may me made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:
 1. A sterilization apparatus, comprising:a main block; a meansfor sterilization attached within the main block wherein saidsterilization means comprises an ultraviolet light; a reflection surfaceconnected within the main block; a means for controlling saidsterilization means; and a removable storage case mounted within saidmain block, having a main body which defines at least two storagecompartments and having a means for holding water dripping from thestorage compartments which fits over said main body.
 2. Thesterilization apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sterilizationapparatus further includes a heat lamp mounted within the main block. 3.The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means forcontrolling said sterilization means includes a means for repeatedlyturning on said sterilization means for a preset period after a presetinterval has passed.
 4. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1wherein said removable storage case includes a bottom having a surfaceslanted from the vertical.
 5. A sterilization apparatus, comprising:amain block; a means for sterilization attached within the main block; ameans for controlling said sterilization means; a removable storage casemounted within said main block; and an electric toothpaste dispenserconnected to the main block.
 6. The sterilization apparatus according toclaim 5 wherein said sterilization means comprises an ozone apparatus.7. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said ozoneapparatus includes a pair of catalyst filters where one of said catalystfilters is located before a ceramic electrode and the other of saidcatalyst filters is located after said ceramic electrode and a fanlocated on one end of one of said catalyst filters.
 8. The sterilizationapparatus according to claim 5 wherein said sterilization meanscomprises an ultraviolet light.
 9. The sterilization apparatus accordingto claim 5 wherein said sterilization apparatus further includes a heatlamp mounted within the main block.
 10. The sterilization apparatusaccording to claim 15 further including a soap supplier mountedproximate said sterilization apparatus and a central electric controlcircuit mounted proximate said soap supplier for controlling saidsterilization apparatus, said electric toothpaste dispenser and saidsoap supplier.
 11. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 5wherein said means for controlling said sterilization means includes ameans for repeatedly turning on said sterilization means for a presetperiod after a preset interval has passed.
 12. The sterilizationapparatus according to claim 5 wherein said removable storage caseincludes a bottom having a surface slanted from the vertical.
 13. Thesterilization apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said removablestorage case includes a main body which defines at least two storagecompartments and having a means for holding water dripping from thestorage compartments which fits over said main body.
 14. A sterilizationapparatus, comprising:a main block; a means for sterilization attachedwithin the main block; a means for controlling said sterilization meansincluding a means for repeatedly turning on said sterilization means fora preset period after a preset interval has passed; and a removablestorage case mounted within said main block having a main body whichdefines at least two storage compartments and having a means for holdingwater dripping from the storage compartments which fits over said mainbody.
 15. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 14 wherein saidsterilization means comprises an ultraviolet light.
 16. Thesterilization apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said sterilizationapparatus further includes a heat lamp mounted within the main block.17. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 14 wherein saidremovable storage case includes a bottom having a surface slanted fromthe vertical.